Maple Leafs' Ryan Reaves Receives Five-Game Suspension for Hit on Oilers' Darnell Nurse

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves has been handed a five-game suspension by the NHL's Department of Player Safety following an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The incident took place during the second period of the Maple Leafs' 4-3 overtime win against the Oilers on Saturday night.

Reaves received a match penalty for the hit, and Nurse was sidelined for the remainder of the game with an upper-body injury. The NHL's review determined that the head contact was avoidable, prompting the suspension. There have been no further updates on Nurse's condition.

This marks the fourth suspension in Reaves' NHL career, which spans 893 games. The 37-year-old veteran will forfeit over $35,000 in salary due to the suspension and is expected to return on December 4 when the Maple Leafs face the Nashville Predators.

Reaves, currently on a contract with a $1.35 million cap hit, is in his second-to-last season with Toronto. So far this season, he has recorded one assist, 23 penalty minutes, and 44 hits over 16 games.

Darnell Nurse, on the other hand, has contributed two goals and nine points in 18 games this season, averaging 21:36 minutes of ice time before exiting Saturday's match.